Cooking Up a Dream at Francisco's on the River

The smell of fresh garlic bread fills the air, mixed with the hum of conversations at tables and the warmth of a place that feels like home. This is the experience that welcomes diners when they walk through the doors of Francisco’s on the River. With picturesque views of the Delaware River, this Italian/Mediterranean restaurant is a local treasure for residents of Upper Makefield Township and surrounding communities.

Owner and executive chef Francisco Argueta has been creating memorable dining experiences at this location since 2008. “I love all the people who come here and seeing smiles on their faces,” he says. “It’s wonderful. I also love to sit and look out at the river because it’s so beautiful.”

Exploring New Beginnings

Argueta’s path to becoming a chef and business owner was an interesting journey. He grew up in a small village in El Salvador as the only boy among nine siblings. In his family, cooking was traditionally women’s work. Although he watched his mother prepare meals for the family, he never participated in the kitchen.

With limited job opportunities in his hometown, Argueta moved to the city of San Francisco Gotera before deciding to come to the United States in 1986 at the age of 21. Arriving in America with no family or friends from El Salvador, he reached out to a friend from Spain, Candido Rodriguez, who lived in Newtown and encouraged him to move to the area.

Not only did Rodriguez tell Argueta about the area; he also introduced him to pizza. “I never ate Italian food before, and when Rodriguez ordered a pizza, I only tasted a little bit and hated it because I wasn’t used to the taste,” he says. “When I was told it was cheese and dough, that’s when I realized I wasn’t in my country anymore because we only eat beans, rice, and chicken there. But I ended up falling in love with Italian food because every flavor is delicious.”

With no prior experience in the restaurant industry, Argueta took a job as a dishwasher at Tre Fratelli in Langhorne. When a position in line preparation became available, he approached the owner and said he could do the job. He had been observing the process and learning how everything worked. The owner hired him. This was only the beginning of his journey to becoming a skilled chef and restaurant owner.

“I learned from the chefs I worked with and spent all my time off researching at libraries, looking at books, reading, and watching cooking shows,” Argueta says. “When it comes to Italian food, I love how they cook it. I also watched many people come through the restaurant from different regions of Italy, so I learned from them, too.”

The Taste of Success

After 12 years at Tre Fratelli, Argueta decided it was time to take the next step and open his own restaurant. He was inspired by Rodriguez, who told him that one way to be successful in America is to start your own business. An accountant also encouraged him after seeing how hard and how many hours Argueta was working. That support inspired him to open Florentino’s, an Italian restaurant in Newtown Borough that operated from 2004 to 2016. In 2008, he opened Francisco’s on the River in Washington Crossing, which remains a popular destination.

Laurie Hosie and her husband, Dennis Tognan, are longtime customers from Washington Crossing. “We are so fortunate to have Francisco’s nearby, and we generally get the same table for the lovely view of the river,” Hosie says. “We appreciate the charming, welcoming atmosphere, and the food is consistently excellent.”

In addition to customer satisfaction, Argueta seeks a positive experience for his staff. Several members of his team have been with him for many years because he believes in supporting his employees and being there for them whenever they need help.

Kelly Sliker has worked at the restaurant for 14 years. “Francisco is a great boss and owner,” she says. “His passion for the business is truly inspiring. He treats both his staff and customers like his own family.”

Argueta’s menu features a variety of Italian- and Mediterranean-inspired dishes with an assortment of pasta and seafood entrées. One of the most popular orders is “Bob’s Plate,” which combines salmon, scallops, shrimp, and crabmeat over fettucine in a pink vodka sauce.

“Our favorite dishes include sautéed calamari, fennel, and mushroom salad; chicken porcini; and coconut cake,” Hosie says. “The pastas are wonderful, too. It’s clear Francisco puts a lot of love and care into his restaurant.”

On any given evening, the dining room may hold couples enjoying an intimate meal, families gathered, or a group celebrating a larger occasion. Francisco’s on the River is also a favored venue for holiday parties. “Depending on the size of the party, we have a small room for 15 people, two more for 24 people, and a heated tent outside that can seat 50,” Argueta says. “I enjoy holding events for the holidays or any type of celebration. The most important thing is that my customers are happy.”

A Love of Community

Upper Makefield is not only home to Francisco’s on the River; it is where Argueta has made his home for 35 years. He has raised two children here (now ages 23 and 33) and loves living in Bucks County. “The people who live here are so friendly, and the beauty of driving up and down River Road is so special,” he says. “As a business owner, I have such good relationships with other local restaurants, such as Washington Crossing Inn and Dominick’s. If I need something, they give it to me, and I do the same for them.”

After more than 40 years in the culinary industry, Argueta has no plans to slow down. He continues to make new creations, refine his skills, and maintain the personal connection that has become an important part of his business. “When a customer comes through the door, I open it,” he says. “I welcome them to Francisco’s, lead them to their table, and make sure everything is right for them. At the end of their meal, I go over and say, ‘Thank you for visiting us, and please come back.’ There are not enough words to express the feeling I get seeing the smile on their faces.”

Dari Kotzker is the editor of Upper Makefield magazine. She has worked as a reporter in television news and print media since 2001 and resides in Bucks County with her husband and four kids.

Photograph by Juan Vidal Photography